Children’s Hospital introduces new security badging system for guests

Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Midlands (formerly Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital) is introducing a new security badging system for visitors to inpatient floors beginning Monday, March 4, 2019. These new procedures are part of a commitment to ensuring the safety of every patient.

The new security system requires all guests to show photo identification (ID) and get a color-coded badge to visit patients on the third, fourth, fifth or sixth floors. All guests must check in at the information desk (“the boat”) on the first floor. Once their photo ID is verified by security staff, they will be given a color-coded badge that matches the color code of the specific floor they are authorized to access.

When guests get off the elevator on the designated floor, a team member will be able to see their badges through a glass door and allow them entrance. The badge expires after one day, turning black. If the visitor wishes to return, a new ID badge must be issued. Parents may request a badge that expires after three to five days.

If a guest does not have appropriate ID, but a family member of the patient is present at the hospital, that family member can validate the visitor and a badge may be issued. If a family member of the patient is not present to validate, then the person attempting to visit must return with appropriate ID.

Patients and their family members coming to outpatient surgery do not have to check in with security and have an ID badge issued. If a child is admitted from the Emergency Department to an inpatient floor, the family members will be issued visitor badges in that department.

For everyone’s safety, the Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Midlands entrance doors will be locked 8:30 p.m.–6 a.m. During locked hours, visitors may enter through the main entrance of Prisma Health Richland Hospital at 5 Richland Medical Park. All visitors must present photo identification to the front desk greeter.